ARLINGTON, Va. – Mark French, the Hershey Bears’ assistant coach the past two seasons, has been promoted to head coach of the Washington Capitals’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, Capitals vice president and general manager George McPhee announced today. Troy Mann has been named the Bears’ new assistant coach and will join French behind the bench as Hershey defends its Calder Cup championship in 2009-10.

French replaces Bob Woods, who was promoted to assistant coach in Washington after leading the Bears to the AHL title. He joined the Hershey staff on Jan. 2, 2008, after Woods had been promoted to head coach.